TREATMENT OF COMMON OCULAR ALLERGIC DISORDERS - A COMPARISON OF LODOXAMIDE AND NAAGA

Background/aims-Lodoxamide tromethamine and N-acetyl-aspartyl glutamic acid (NAAGA) are mast cell stabilisers, both of which have been shown to be effective in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. The aim of this study was to compare the two compounds in patients with common ocular allergic disorders. Methods-73 patients participated in a doub le masked, randomised multicentre study. Diagnoses were chronic allerg ic conjunctivitis, vernal conjunctivitis, seasonal and atopic conjunct ivitis. 36 patients were treated with lodoxamide 0.1% and 37 with NAAG A 4.9%, the drops being instilled four times daily for up to 56 days. Results-The overall opinion of the physicians and the patients was in favour of lodoxamide at day 10 of the study. At this time, 86% of lodo xamide treated and 49% of NAAGA treated patients considered they had i mproved. The patients' opinion favoured lodoxamide at day 28 and both physicians' and patients' evaluations were in favour of lodoxamide at day 42. Evaluation of signs and symptoms indicated superiority of lodo xamide at days 42 and 56. Both treatments were well tolerated. Conclus ion-While both lodoxamide and NAAGA treatments are associated with cli nical improvements in patients with allergic conjunctivitis, lodoxamid e may have an earlier onset of action.